Boston Dynamics Officially Unveils Company’s Latest Robot, Handle

The latest robot designed by Boston Dynamics, Handle, is equipped with 4 legs and can successfully balance itself on two wheel-fitted legs; the company has described it as best of both worlds.

A completely owned subsidiary of Google Inc., Boston Dynamics also added that the wheels on legs make Handle (the robot) energy efficient on flat surfaces. The company is best acknowledged for the development of BigDog and a quadruped robot.

According to the Boston Dynamics, the robot can travel approximately 15 miles on one charge. With legs, Handle is capable of managing rough ground and reach nearly anyplace.

Boston Dynamics further said that “Handle uses many of the same dynamics, balance and mobile manipulation principles found in the quadruped and biped robots we build” but with only almost 10 actuated joints, the robot is significantly less complex.

Handle, a 6.5 feet tall wheeled robot, uses electric power to operate both electric and hydraulic actuators, the robotics company says.

On Wednesday, Boston Dynamics released a video on YouTube and their own website, in the video, Handle rolls down, jumps onto tables and other barriers. In the 96 second video, it shows its speed and quickness and it can quickly accelerate to 9 miles/hour.

Handle’s front legs can be used for balancing and capable of carrying heavy loads; the video displays its strength of lifting and carrying approximately 100 pounds weight.

The exclusive clips of Handle had previously disclosed at a presentation when a Silicon Valley investor aired the footage.

The Chief Executive Officer of Boston Dynamics, Mr. Marc Raibert further said “This is the first debut presentation of what I think will be a nightmare-inducing robot.

The robot is still a research project for the company and it is uncertain when, or if ever, the company will launch this robot for the real world.

YouTube description of Boston Dynamics for the Handle stated that the wheels in legs are efficient on flat surfaces while legs can drive nearly anywhere.

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